BEST Jack A/Capt

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Surname: BEST;

Forename(s): Jack;

Initials: J;

Rank: A/Capt;

MGC Branch: Infantry;

MGC Unit: 91 Coy;

Other MGC Unit Served (1): 91 Coy;

Other MGC Unit Served (2): 34 Bn;

How killed: KIA;

Where: France;

When killed: 15-May-1918;

Other Data: Roll of Honour (de Ruvigny) Vol 2, Part 4, p12, Portrait: 2nd son of Albert Malcolm Best, of Bank House, Midhurst, bank manager, by his wife Lizzie Jane, d. of William Marner, of Littlehampton; born Harrow 22/2/1892;educ Harrow Lower Sch & Churchers College, Petersfield, where he was a member of the OTC; was in the service of the London & County Bank; enlisted in Hampshire RGA with his 2 brothers 6/9/14;all received commissions and were gazetted 2lts 10 Bn R Sussex Regt 7/12/14. He was promoted Lt in Nov 1916 and Capt Nov 1917. Served BEF F&F from March 1916 taking part in the engagements at Mametz, Bazentin le Grand and le Petit, Beaumont Hamel and in many others and was also with the troops following the German retreat on the Somme early in 1917. Was app. 2 I/c of 201 Coy MGC the following September and subs in command of 7 Coy and was KIA while with 34 Bn at Bresle nr Albert, 15/5/18. Buried in Contay Cem, west of Albert. His Major wrote "your son was with me only a short time, but we had grown to be friends; I had always found him to be a soldier and a gentleman". The Chaplain wrote "He was thought of very highly by his brother officers and his men". Unmarried.

Letter about, Boy David Jan 1978, (No 92) from brother at Cedarwood, West Lavington, Midhurst, Sussex.
Boy David No 42 (Sept 1964) & No 63, Mar 1971

Trench Knife taken by Capt Best in IWM collections:
This German hunting knife is a trophy of the Battle of the Somme. It was acquired from a German Pionier (Field Engineer) at Mametz by Lieutenant J Best of the Machine Gun Corps. Best was to be killed in May 1918, while serving as a Captain with 34th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps. Privately purchased, commercially manufactured hunting knives were frequently carried at the Front by German soldiers during the First World War. Often, as in this example, they featured simulated 'staghorn' hilts.
.History noteCard label attached to WEA/835 is marked "Dagger taken from German soldier 109th Pioneers at MAMETZ 1/9/1916 by Cap J Best. Capt J Best killed near Amiens May 1918 34 Bn M.G.C". As the village of Mametz was captured by the 7th Division on the afternoon of 1 July 1916 it is possible that the date on the label, "1/9/1916" is a writing error; it is unlikely that German Pioneers would have been in the village as late as September; again it is possible that German pioneer prisoners were utilised as a supervised labour force in the construction and maintenance of field fortifications behind the front line.
.Physical descriptionknife & scabbard knife (hilt form) : near oval section simulated horn grip in wood. Grip broadens towards shallow cap-piece pommel in plated metal. A matching tapered and moulded plated metal ferrule separates grip from blade. blade form : hunting-style single-edged blade which tapers slightly to prow point. The distinctive shoulder projects below sharpened edge. scabbard: simple short leather scabbard with matching topmount and chape in plated metal. The accessory is gathered and sewn along the centre of back in raised seam and is fitted with a collared frog, the high back of which is pierced for a belt stud.
.Associated people and organisations
Best, Jack
British Army, Machine Gun Corps, 34th Battalion
British Army, Royal Sussex Regiment
Associated places
Mametz, Somme, France
Associated events
Battles of the Somme 1916, Allied Offensive, Western Front, First World War
Related Collections Items
derived

trench dagger, German [hunting… scabbard with integral frog for trench dagger Frontal plate, for M1916 steel helmet Steel Helmet, M1916:;

Other Notes: BEST, Captain, JACK, 34th Coy. Machine Gun Corps. 15th May 1918. VIII. A. 19. Contay British Cemetery, Contay - Somme, France.
NB: 34 BN not Company (see 34 Bn war Diary) - attached 25 Bn at time of death;

END OF RECORD.

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